Tome Cruise to star in Mission Impossible four

Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise is getting set to return to the big screen as super spy Ethan Hunt in the fourth installment of the Mission Impossible series.

Reports from Hollywood say Cruise has already re-signed Mission Impossible III director J.J. Abrams, who will act as producer on the new project.

The fourth episode with Paramount looked in doubt after chief Sumner Redstone and Cruise had a bitter and public falling out in 2006 that saw the end to a 14-year-old relationship.

Reports say 46-year-old Cruise will both star in and co-produce the fourth installment of the multi-million dollar franchise.

The original Mission Impossible grossed $US475 million worldwide at the box office. Four years later, the sequel hauled in a staggering $US550 million, while the third in the series managed a “mere” $US400 million.

No casting has yet been announced but the movie is expected to release in 2010 or 2011.